PA to deploy 2,827 soldiers in Visayas

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BACOLOD CITY — A total of 2,827 soldiers from the Philippine Army (PA) will be deployed to the Negros Island Region, Western Visayas and Central Visayas for election duties on May 12, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Visayas Command (Viscom) said.

Viscom chief Lt. Gen. Fernando Reyeg said the soldiers will support the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine National Police in ensuring a fair, orderly and reliable electoral process.

In his series of visits to the units in Negros and Panay last week, Reyeg encouraged the troops to remain professional and committed to their mandate in securing the elections.

"Let us remain professional, committed, nonpartisan and loyal to the Constitution," said Reyeg.

"Let us foster an environment where our people can exercise their right to vote freely and without fear or intimidation. Our professionalism and dedication are pivotal to safeguarding the sanctity of this democratic process," he added.

A total of 310 policemen from Bacolod City Police Office in Negros Occidental will also be deployed to Negros Oriental three days before the election day.

All the 25 towns and cities in Negros Oriental have been tagged by the Comelec as areas of concerns, including Guihulngan City and La Libertad, which have been placed under the red category, and the 23 remaining local government units (LGUs) are placed under the yellow category.

In Negros Occidental, 31 LGUs, including the highly urbanized Bacolod City, have been placed under the green category, or with no election security concerns, while Candoni was placed under orange category due to an insurgency related incident in November last year.

Siquijor was also placed under the green category.

On May 2, the Negros Occidental Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) held its final coordination meeting for the upcoming elections.

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, the PA and other law-enforcement agencies expressed readiness for the polls.

The power distribution facilities, generating plants and other related institutions guaranteed energy stability during the election period.

Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, commanding officer of the PA's 303rd Infantry Battalion, said PJSCC members have prepared enough for the election.

Ian Lee Ananoria, provincial election supervisor, said the conduct of the elections "no issue or concern on the ground is too small to be left unaddressed."

The meeting was attended by election officers in the province, municipal and city chiefs of police, officials of the PA and other uniformed services, concerned national government agencies and other stakeholders.